That pesky bathtub ring you’re trying to get rid of is not only an eyesore, but it can be hazardous to your health. Soap scum build-up tends to get slippery, which oftentimes leads to injury.
Don’t let the build up continue, act now.
We’re here to help. First, let’s talk about where the bathtub ring comes from, and then we’ll move on to the dirty work.
Ready? Let’s go!
What causes a bathtub ring?
When trying to tackle a home improvement problem, it is important to know the details about what you’re actually dealing with.
Some household issues are simpler than others to take care of, whether it’s furniture cleaning, pet urine removal, or tile cleaning.
A bathtub ring is caused by a build-up of soap scum and/or oil from bathing products. This is especially true when baths are taken on a consistent basis. The soap scum/oil mixture sits atop bath water, and over time it builds layer upon layer, leading to a visible line (or ring) around the bathtub.
Sorry to be the bearers of dirty news, but if baths are a mainstay in your bathtub, you might want to clean it more often than not. This will help prevent a bathtub ring.
That leads us to our next point, and question: how often should you clean your bathtub?
How often to clean a bathtub
Typically, bathrooms are one of the most often cleaned rooms of any home. This is mainly due to how much it gets used. Just like anything else, the more you use it, the more maintenance it will need.
Plus, who wants to use a dirty bathroom? Gross.
Let’s keep it clean!
Experts say that cleaning once a week is often enough to keep things fresh, but we say to customize your routine based on how many people are consistently using the bathroom, and in this case, the bathtub.
Like we said before, the more people who are using it, the more cleaning there should be.
For instance, if you have a family of six, there will need to be more cleaning days than if you have a family of four.
Getting rid of a bathtub ring
Before we dive into the how-to portion of this post, make sure you know what kind of material your bathtub is made out of. There are different solutions and tactics for different types of tubs.
If the wrong treatment is applied to your tub, not only will you fail at removing the bathtub ring, but you could potentially damage your bathtub.
If you need some help figuring out what your bathtub is made of, this handy guide will help you.
For plastic tubs with a bathtub ring;
- Combine a 50/50 mixture of chlorine and water
- Put the combination into a spray bottle
- Spray tub evenly
- Let the solution sit for about 15 minutes
- Grab a scrub brush, and start scrubbing out the solution
- Rinse the tub out thoroughly
- Apply the solution over the bathtub ring
- Repeat steps 4-6 until the bathtub ring is gone
- Remember to rinse thoroughly to get rid of the chemicals
For porcelain tubs with a bathtub ring
- Fill a bucket up with water halfway
- Add 1/4 cup of ammonia
- Add 1/4 cup of baking soda
- Put a non-abrasive sponge in the bucket to soak up the solution
- Use the sponge to scrub the bathtub
- Go over problem areas, like stains or a bathtub ring multiple times
- Rinse away solution thoroughly
- Repeat steps 4-7 until satisfied
For enameled tubs with a bathtub ring
- Make a paste out of water and a bathtub cleaning agent like Comet or Ajax powder
- Spread the paste along the perimeter of the tub, covering the bathtub ring completely
- Let the paste sit on the bathtub ring for about 30 minutes
- Rinse away thoroughly
For acrylic tubs with a bathtub ring
- Using a Soft Scrub bathtub cleaning agent (acrylic is prone to scratches, so a creamier alternative is necessary), cover the bathtub ring completely
- Let the cream sit for about 30 minutes
- Rinse away thoroughly
- Repeat steps 1-3 between three and five times
- To really fight off the bathtub ring, use a Magic Eraser
Can a bathtub ring be prevented?
There is no concrete answer, but cleaning your bathtub with a natural 50/50 water and vinegar solution after each bathtub use will limit the build-up. This could eliminate the bathtub ring problem.
Sure, it’s a little extra elbow grease, but it could be worth it.
Natural options to help get rid of a bathtub ring
It does not matter if you are cleaning your bathtub out of habit, or if you are cleaning for health, natural solutions are always a good idea to consider.
Here are some great, natural recipes:
- A 50/50 vinegar and water combination
- A 50/50 vinegar and baking soda combination
- Homemade scouring powder
Could it be time for a new bathtub?
So, let’s say you’ve tried it all. But, lo and behold, that stubborn bathtub ring isn’t going anywhere.
Before you jump to the assumption that you need to purchase a new bathtub, please keep reading!
First things first, find a professional to come and check things out. A surefire way to find one you can trust is to ask your local friends and family on Facebook for a recommendation.
This is a more reliable option than simply using Google because your local community will have had a first-hand experience.
Next, they’ll probably tell you that you don’t actually need to purchase a whole new bathtub. If they do, head back to your Facebook network to ask for another recommendation for an honest expert. After all, a second opinion never hurt anybody.
Most of the time, there are alternatives to completely removing an old bathtub and installing a new one.
Bathtub liners are always an option, in addition to bathtub refinishing. There’s a good chance that if your bathtub is due for an update, one of these options will work.
If you loved this article, we think you might enjoy reading our blog on cleaning a moldy bathroom. Another blog of ours that we think you might like, highlights the reasons why cleaning for health is always a good idea.
Need help cleaning your bathtub? We’re here for you. Contact us anytime.
